A guide to the most and least corrupt countries for assignees

Posted 28/09/2018

Author: Santa Fe Relocation

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When it comes to setting up an assignment overseas, there are several factors to consider, including the location of which the assignment will take place. Corruption is a signficiant issue around the globe, and there are many countries who are making little or no progress in ending this corruption, particularly in the public sector. When sending an assignee abroad, corruption is an issue which needs to be taken into consideration when location is determined, for the safety of the assignee. Here at Santa Fe Relcation we’ve put together a list of some of the most and least corrupt countries in the world.

Least Corrupt Countries

The Corruption Perceptions Index 2017, published by Transparency International, suggests that the likes of New Zealand, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Switzerland and Singapore are some of the least corrupt countries in the world, with scores ranging between 89-84.

Least corrupt

2017 Rank

2017 Score

2016 Score

2015 Score

2014 Score

2013 Score

2012 Score

Region

New Zealand

89

90

91

91

91

90

Asia Pacific

Denmark

88

90

91

92

91

90

Europe and Central Asia

Finland

85

89

90

89

89

90

Europe and Central Asia

Norway

85

85

88

86

86

85

Europe and Central Asia

Switzerland

85

86

86

86

86

85

Europe and Central Asia

Singapore

84

84

85

84

86

87

Asia Pacific

Sweden

84

88

89

87

89

88

Europe and Central Asia

Canada

82

82

83

81

81

84

Americas

Luxembourg

82

81

85

82

80

80

Europe and Central Asia

Netherlands

82

83

84

83

83

84

Europe and Central Asia

United Kingdom

82

81

81

78

76

74

Europe and Central Asia

While the UK remains as one of the most corrupt countries in the above list, its score has improved over the last five years from 74 to 82. This proves that the UK is making progress in ending corruption in the public sector. Interestingly, despite Sweden’s strong rule of law against most forms of corruption, the country has been criticised for its lack of foreign bribery law enforcement, which could be a main contributor to the countries steep decline from 89 in 2015 to 84 in 2017.

Most Corrupt Countries

It is unsurprising to see the countries on the brink or in the midst of war typecast as corrupt, and there has been signficiant levels of criticism towards the legal systems in all of the countries listed below over recent years.

Most corrupt

2017 Rank

2017 Score

2016 Score

2015 Score

2014 Score

2013 Score

2012 Score

Region

Somalia

9

10

8

8

8

8

Sub Saharan Africa

South Sudan

12

11

15

15

14

N/A

Sub Saharan Africa

Syria

14

13

18

20

17

26

Middle East and North Africa

Afghanistan

15

15

11

12

8

8

Asia Pacific

Yemen

16

14

18

19

18

23

Middle East and North Africa

Sudan

16

14

12

11

11

13

Middle East and North Africa

Libya

17

14

16

18

15

21

Middle East and North Africa

North Korea

17

12

8

8

8

8

Asia Pacific

Guinea-Bissau

17

16

17

19

19

25

Sub Saharan Africa

Equatorial Guinea

17

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Sub Saharan Africa

Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen are among the five most corrupted countries.

Research from the Committee to Protect Journalists identified that since 2002 approximately 9 out of 10 journalists were killed in countries that score less than 45 on the index. Managing Director of Transparency International, an international non-governmental organization which strives to take action to fight against global corruption, Patricia Moreira, stated that: “No activist or reporter should have to fear for their lives when speaking out against corruption.”

“Given current crackdowns on both civil society and the media worldwide, we need to do more to protect those who speak up.”

Before setting up an assignment abroad, it is important that businesses are aware of the host country’s corruption levels in order to ensure assignees are safe and are not at risk of unnecessary danger. For more information, get in touch with a member of our expert team on 0208 961 4141, today.

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